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RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 3:19:00 PM

Posts: 69
Joined: 4/11/2014
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Right. Certain insurances will allow you to switch just by showing up to another doctor, as long as they're in-network. Others require referrals.

Either way, it's frustrating when this happens because a doctor's job is to heal a patient. Not to tell them it's nothing that will cause immediate death, so thanks and see ya later! My mother had several panels of unnecessary, painful tests run that she found out she didn't need after she shelled out the money for them. None of them ended up giving her an answer about what was causing her symptoms and she finally put her foot down and told her doctor she wasn't going to allow more possibly damaging things to be done to her body.

And OP is dealing with the issue on the other side of the spectrum. When the patient is in pain and discomfort and the doctor won't do anything about it. If they're not doing their jobs or being proactive, time to find another healthcare provider. Sadly, sometimes you have to be your own advocate even when you're dealing with people that are supposedly there to heal you.

(in reply to SMgirl66)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 3:58:58 PM

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Joined: 12/25/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

quote:

ORIGINAL: stef

quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

My Owner has me drink pickle juice, it is a lot like Gatorade but well... pickly lol.

It's probably significantly healthier than drinking the sugar water sold as Gatorade. While Pepsico's accountants might not agree, there are far better ways to get potassium into your diet than drinking that crap.

I can't stand Gatorade, the pickle juice is actually pretty good but one has to like dill pickles. It is slammable lol.

Pickle juice is also full of salt which isn't health. My advice is to try another doctor before treating it with anything. Until you know what it is it's pointless and may even make things worse. This from someone who has worked for doctors for 20+ years.

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TheFireWithinMe.

I also have the sarcasm gene which is NOT to be taken seriously.

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(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 4:12:26 PM

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Joined: 4/11/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LiveSpark

Pickle juice is also full of salt which isn't health. My advice is to try another doctor before treating it with anything. Until you know what it is it's pointless and may even make things worse. This from someone who has worked for doctors for 20+ years.

Agreed. Your magnesium and potassium levels might naturally be perfectly fine, but if you're knocking them out of whack by trying stuff randomly on your own, that could be causing entirely separate issues. There's just no way of knowing until a doctor runs the proper tests on what's going on inside.

(in reply to LiveSpark)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 4:27:35 PM

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Joined: 12/25/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ReinRaus

<snip>

And OP is dealing with the issue on the other side of the spectrum. When the patient is in pain and discomfort and the doctor won't do anything about it. If they're not doing their jobs or being proactive, time to find another healthcare provider. Sadly, sometimes you have to be your own advocate even when you're dealing with people that are supposedly there to heal you.

This is precisely why I'm looking for another doctor. You're right RR sometimes it's necessary to be proactive. There is only so long someone can bang their head against a wall. Sooner or later it's time to give up and start at square one.

_____________________________

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TheFireWithinMe.

I also have the sarcasm gene which is NOT to be taken seriously.

If you fall I'll always be there to catch you ~ Floor

(in reply to ReinRaus)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 4:57:14 PM

Posts: 5746
Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SweetForDaddy

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

If these cramps have been happening regularly and your doctor has no interest in finding out why or what is causing them, it's time for a new doctor.

And yes, some blood work could be very helpful. Thyroid levels and parathyroid levels can be off. Parathyroid issues could cause the low vitamin D as well. Low blood calcium can cause the cramping (another parathyroid function).

Good luck. Again I would seriously change doctors.

I would second that.

To the OP - Is there a reason why you don't want to change? They don't sound very helpful. Do you have to pay to get advice for something like this in the US? I have no idea how the US healthcare system works really.

Unfortunately I'm limited to a particular clinic and particular doctor, I'm under the bar for ACA so I'm not covered by typical insurance. The doctors there seem burned out, mine has sent me to the ER claiming writing me an antibiotic was too complicated for her and I even supplied the name/dosage of precisely what I needed. I think my medical history is just too much for her to deal with.

I'm fairly sure there is a thyroid issue going on, my three siblings take synthroid as does my mother so it is likely something I need as well.

Honestly I'm severely phobic about doctors, that has made it fairly easy to rationalize not pushing my medical problems and staying with the mindset of 'hey if it hasn't killed me yet, I'm doing okay' which I do realize is immature and short-sighted. However these spasms/cramps are unsettling and very very painful so it looks like I will have to do something.

I was hoping for (as always when it comes to medical stuff) a super quick and obvious fix!

Despite my phobia and despite my preference for an easy fix, I'm pretty well versed in my medical issues. As much as a lay-person can be.

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RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 5:31:15 PM

Posts: 75
Joined: 10/29/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

quote:

ORIGINAL: SweetForDaddy

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

If these cramps have been happening regularly and your doctor has no interest in finding out why or what is causing them, it's time for a new doctor.

And yes, some blood work could be very helpful. Thyroid levels and parathyroid levels can be off. Parathyroid issues could cause the low vitamin D as well. Low blood calcium can cause the cramping (another parathyroid function).

Good luck. Again I would seriously change doctors.

I would second that.

To the OP - Is there a reason why you don't want to change? They don't sound very helpful. Do you have to pay to get advice for something like this in the US? I have no idea how the US healthcare system works really.

Unfortunately I'm limited to a particular clinic and particular doctor, I'm under the bar for ACA so I'm not covered by typical insurance. The doctors there seem burned out, mine has sent me to the ER claiming writing me an antibiotic was too complicated for her and I even supplied the name/dosage of precisely what I needed. I think my medical history is just too much for her to deal with.

I'm fairly sure there is a thyroid issue going on, my three siblings take synthroid as does my mother so it is likely something I need as well.

Honestly I'm severely phobic about doctors, that has made it fairly easy to rationalize not pushing my medical problems and staying with the mindset of 'hey if it hasn't killed me yet, I'm doing okay' which I do realize is immature and short-sighted. However these spasms/cramps are unsettling and very very painful so it looks like I will have to do something.

I was hoping for (as always when it comes to medical stuff) a super quick and obvious fix!

Despite my phobia and despite my preference for an easy fix, I'm pretty well versed in my medical issues. As much as a lay-person can be.

yep i can understand how you must feel especially with your medical problems, and unfortunately sometimes there is no quick fix but you never know and failing a doctor willing to run tests sometimes listening to your body when taking other remedies is the only course of action, and well if it hasn't killed you sometimes is the only mindset to have no matter who thinks otherwise, i hope the cramps will go or you can find the cause, i had something similar turned out to be my gall bladder i was in my 20's so took the medical professionals a while to figure it out as i was supposedly too young to have that problem and because it wasn't making stones just gravel i was in pain on and off for a while....just another thought xoxo

(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 5:44:23 PM

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From: Austin Texas
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Thankfully (lol) I had my poor little gallbladder removed in 2005, so it isn't that. I'd sure hate to repeat that surgery!

I really appreciate everyones input.

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~Love your life! (It is the only one you'll get).

(in reply to SMgirl66)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 5:45:14 PM

Posts: 167
Joined: 5/17/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

quote:

ORIGINAL: SweetForDaddy

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

If these cramps have been happening regularly and your doctor has no interest in finding out why or what is causing them, it's time for a new doctor.

And yes, some blood work could be very helpful. Thyroid levels and parathyroid levels can be off. Parathyroid issues could cause the low vitamin D as well. Low blood calcium can cause the cramping (another parathyroid function).

Good luck. Again I would seriously change doctors.

I would second that.

To the OP - Is there a reason why you don't want to change? They don't sound very helpful. Do you have to pay to get advice for something like this in the US? I have no idea how the US healthcare system works really.

Unfortunately I'm limited to a particular clinic and particular doctor, I'm under the bar for ACA so I'm not covered by typical insurance. The doctors there seem burned out, mine has sent me to the ER claiming writing me an antibiotic was too complicated for her and I even supplied the name/dosage of precisely what I needed. I think my medical history is just too much for her to deal with.

I'm fairly sure there is a thyroid issue going on, my three siblings take synthroid as does my mother so it is likely something I need as well.

Honestly I'm severely phobic about doctors, that has made it fairly easy to rationalize not pushing my medical problems and staying with the mindset of 'hey if it hasn't killed me yet, I'm doing okay' which I do realize is immature and short-sighted. However these spasms/cramps are unsettling and very very painful so it looks like I will have to do something.

I was hoping for (as always when it comes to medical stuff) a super quick and obvious fix!

Despite my phobia and despite my preference for an easy fix, I'm pretty well versed in my medical issues. As much as a lay-person can be.

Oh that sucks, we can just change doctors here, practices too if we want without having to worry about insurance. If you complained would they refer you to another?

If you are saying very painful and they are happening often for no reason I would go back and make them listen to you because it might be a symptom of something else.

(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 5:49:21 PM

Posts: 75
Joined: 10/29/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

Thankfully (lol) I had my poor little gallbladder removed in 2005, so it isn't that. I'd sure hate to repeat that surgery!

I really appreciate everyones input.

haha well grat thats one thing off the list and yep right with you on the gall bladder surgery damn it wasn't good!!!!!!

(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/30/2014 10:19:35 PM

impishlilhellcat

Posts: 4379
Joined: 3/26/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

Okay, my doctor has no answers but she is the most disinterested doctor I've ever met so I'm hoping someone here can help.

The past year or so I've been getting horrific cramps, charley horse type cramps but not in the normal place like a leg. Oh noooo, my body has decided that cramps under my rib cage would be way more fun! These are 'drop me to my knees no matter where I am' painful. Hold my breath and maybe if I'm lucky I will pass out painful.

My potassium levels are fine. I'm hydrated. I practice Tai Chi so I get good stretching in.

They hit while I'm driving which is oh so much fun, or if I happen to reach for something waist height like at the grocery store.

They feel like they are around the second or third ribs from the bottom, either side but so far not both sides at once.

Thanks!

I didn't read all the replies, so forgive me if this has already been covered. I get them when my magnesium and calcium levels are off.

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RE: Muscle cramps - 12/31/2014 6:52:20 AM

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Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
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Okay, I've an appointment with my doctor for Jan 8 with lab work a few days before that.

Hopefully I won't get that blank stare she has perfected when I run down the list of my problems!

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RE: Muscle cramps - 12/31/2014 7:37:56 AM

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Joined: 12/25/2014
Status: offline

That's a good start at least bloodwork will be done. Is it at all possible to at least change to another doctor at the same clinic? I'm not convinced that this one has your best interest at heart, in fact I question whether she should be treating patients at all, she sounds burnt out. Good luck Camille, I hope you get some answers.

_____________________________

I've been here as MontrealPhoenix, zephyr and
TheFireWithinMe.

I also have the sarcasm gene which is NOT to be taken seriously.

If you fall I'll always be there to catch you ~ Floor

(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/31/2014 8:13:40 AM

Posts: 108
Status: offline

are the cramps a stabbing, sharp type of pain, or more of a dull like someone pressing a knuckle type of pain? When it happens, how long? Is it constant?

The reason I ask this is based on the Magnesium and Potassium comments not affecting you. You could have a separated or even a fractured rib that is healing. Have you had a lot of coughing any time in the last 2 months?

(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/31/2014 8:27:38 AM

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Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SexyBlackMan2

are the cramps a stabbing, sharp type of pain, or more of a dull like someone pressing a knuckle type of pain? When it happens, how long? Is it constant?

The reason I ask this is based on the Magnesium and Potassium comments not affecting you. You could have a separated or even a fractured rib that is healing. Have you had a lot of coughing any time in the last 2 months?

Sharp, very very sharp pain that makes me unable to breathe for a long moment. They don't last long (I'd say two minutes max) but it sure feels like a year when it is happening.

And yes, I've been coughing at night for about a year. I had bronchial pneumonia in September. Walking pneumonia the year before, and blood clots in my right lung three years ago. (hence being on Warfarin)

The cramps/pain doesn't happen when coughing, it seems to happen: when relaxed and sitting, while driving or when I extend my arms in a downward motion such as going to pick something up from a shelf about thigh height. Heh or doing certain Tai Chi moves which mimic picking something up from that height.

It also happens on both sides of my ribcage, never toward the back but like right under the front lower ribs.

I can get them to stop if I contort myself, I sort of stretch fully with the arm on the affected side straight up and a bit back. If I drop that arm it hits again.

Hopefully there are no YouTube videos of some weird woman in Austin by the side of the road doing contortions!!

I forgot to add, this happens about every three days or so. I get leg cramps about every other night, I've also RLS if that makes a difference.

< Message edited by camille65 -- 12/31/2014 8:28:42 AM >

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RE: Muscle cramps - 12/31/2014 8:46:31 AM

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hmmmmmm

based on the location, it's either the ribs themselves, the muscles between the ribs or the diaphragm just behind the lower ribs. When you have serious coughing fits, especially the productive coughs, you can actually separate a rib, fracture a rib, or more common, pull a muscle. It sounds like you had a serious muscle pull. It happens on both sides toward the front. That is where your ribs flex the most as you will note from the breathing you do with Tai Chi. My guess is the pain goes from the front and wraps a little toward yours sides

Unfortunately, the only way to know 100% for sure is to take a chest xray. But, the coughing is going to make the healing much slower. If this is the case, it's just going to take time.

If you are fighting to breathe you should get checked out immediately. Blood clots always pose serious health risks.

(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 12/31/2014 8:58:03 AM

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Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SexyBlackMan2

hmmmmmm

based on the location, it's either the ribs themselves, the muscles between the ribs or the diaphragm just behind the lower ribs. When you have serious coughing fits, especially the productive coughs, you can actually separate a rib, fracture a rib, or more common, pull a muscle. It sounds like you had a serious muscle pull. It happens on both sides toward the front. That is where your ribs flex the most as you will note from the breathing you do with Tai Chi. My guess is the pain goes from the front and wraps a little toward yours sides

Unfortunately, the only way to know 100% for sure is to take a chest xray. But, the coughing is going to make the healing much slower. If this is the case, it's just going to take time.

If you are fighting to breathe you should get checked out immediately. Blood clots always pose serious health risks.

The blood clot incident was pretty scary I have to admit. I'd just finished a weekend of intense Tai Chi training, so tired I slept nearly a full day. When I woke up I thought I'd pulled something in my back, then I thought maybe it was pneumonia again. But the pain increased to the point of intolerable so I drove to the ER and found out I had blood clots in my lung. Ew. (blood clots give me the mental image of a portuguese man o war with very long tentacles that are grabbing onto random innards and refusing to let go lol)

They never traced those to a DVT so it is assumed that the Lupus caused them. I've been on Warfarin ever since and my INR levels have been pretty steady, almost always within therapeutic range.

I did have a chest x-ray in September, it showed the bronchial pneumonia but nothing more.

Sigh. I wish all this crap would just go away on its own please.

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RE: Muscle cramps - 12/31/2014 9:48:52 AM

Posts: 108
Status: offline

Ah ok....then it really sounds like a muscle pull. If you don't aggravate it, that could take 4-6 weeks to heal. But, since I think you are not the type to sit still for that long, it could be more like 8-12 weeks.

The only other option I can think of is the actual blood clots themselves in your lungs. If you are prone to them due to the Lupus, then they can still start to form. The warfarin (coumadin, etc), could act as a thrombolytic and dissolve anything trying to form. The lungs themselves can cause stabbing types of pain to radiate and make it feel like it's the lungs. But, that pain wouldn't go away after a couple minutes.

Make sure the doctor you go to is an internal medicine specialist. He or she would have the best chance of figuring out exactly what is going on. Good luck.

(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 1/3/2015 11:29:48 PM

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Joined: 11/11/2013
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quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

Okay, my doctor has no answers but she is the most disinterested doctor I've ever met so I'm hoping someone here can help.

The past year or so I've been getting horrific cramps, charley horse type cramps but not in the normal place like a leg. Oh noooo, my body has decided that cramps under my rib cage would be way more fun! These are 'drop me to my knees no matter where I am' painful. Hold my breath and maybe if I'm lucky I will pass out painful.

My potassium levels are fine. I'm hydrated. I practice Tai Chi so I get good stretching in.

They hit while I'm driving which is oh so much fun, or if I happen to reach for something waist height like at the grocery store.

They feel like they are around the second or third ribs from the bottom, either side but so far not both sides at once.

Thanks!

Hi camille :)

Sorry to hear you are in pain. I agree with other posters that you should get a new doctor.

Or, if you are going to keep the one you've got, then show up to each visit with a written list of questions and tests you want to discuss getting done. I write the answers and when done, ask the doctor to confirm that I wrote it correctly. I then ask the Dr. to copy it, one for me to take and one to be added to my medical file.

This includes notes and dates, such as... "If the pain persists for 1 week, then I will return to the doctor and such and such a test will be ordered then."

The doctor may scoff the first or second time you do this, but then they accept it. They are taught to be afraid of malpractice suits, so when you switch from verbal complaints to a record of written complaints, you see some action like you never thought possible. Obstacles disappear. Interest, appears. :)

As for the pain itself, it looks like posters vary on what could be the culprit, so tests do seem in order here.

The pain you describe, can happen to people who hold tension in their chests or who have a slight birth defect. A chiropractic technique called, "sternal scraping" helps people with pain like you write about. It basically means to rub hard on the sternum - DO NOT - do it to yourself or let anyone else do it.

One session can work for months or for years. It releases the tightening around the rib cage which means you don't get that "seized up" kind of pain. In between sessions, people lie back hanging over the edge of the bed, to keep the area stretched.

BTW, charley horses in the legs... bananas and OJ are natural sources of relief.

Best of luck to you. :)

(in reply to camille65)

RE: Muscle cramps - 1/4/2015 12:22:29 AM

ThirdWheelWanted

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Joined: 4/23/2014
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This sounds like something that happens to me. It's an incredibly sharp pain, usually focused on the left side of my lower ribs. The central point is in back, but it's so intense I feel it all the way around. I usually only get them when I've been having a hard time breathing for a few days/weeks, and then I cough or sneeze. What I've been told is that mine is a "rib head subluxation". That's a fancy way of saying that the head on the floater rib pops out, then pinches the muscle that's supposed to be holding it in place. When mine pop, sometimes they cause me pain for days, other times they go right back in.

I've had good luck with having a chiropractor pop it back in place. Although I had a different one milk the injury for 6 days before he finally fixed it. (6 days is what my insurance allows for any one injury conveniently enough.)

< Message edited by ThirdWheelWanted -- 1/4/2015 12:24:53 AM >

(in reply to BecomingV)

RE: Muscle cramps - 1/8/2015 1:23:40 PM

Posts: 5746
Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
Status: offline

After a ninety minute wait I got to see my doctor for six minutes (yes I timed it lol).

She was surprised I have muscle cramps, somehow. Despite my mentioning it to her over the last three years more than once. She wants to run an electrolyte test (it's what plants crave!) and see me back in ten days but she hasn't an open appointment slot until the end of May.

So, not much progress.

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~Love your life! (It is the only one you'll get).

(in reply to ThirdWheelWanted)

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